As Americans were celebrating our nation’s independence on Sunday, July 4th, a refugee family arrived at Raleigh Durham International Airport from the other side of the world in another form of independence—their escape and freedom from the civil war in Myanmar, Burma. Upon arrival, they were welcomed to our state and country by loving neighbors from Oak Church in Durham and will find a safe place to live initially at Hope House, a member of CBFNC’s Welcome House Community Network.
Oak Church has worked tirelessly for months to sponsor the Burmese family who fled Myanmar as civil rights and pro-democracy activists. The family arrived without their husband and father who made the heart-wrenching decision to stay home in hopes of bringing change in his country.
“The timing is remarkable,” said Mike Dossett, Hope House team leader. “For a family fleeing persecution, who hope one day there will be freedom and democracy in their homeland to arrive on July 4th, Independence Day, well that’s divine timing indeed! They are finally free.”

Members of Oak Church and Hope Valley Baptist welcome a refugee family from Myanmar as they arrive on July 4, 2021.
Oak Church is partnering with Hope Valley Baptist Church, a CBFNC partner church, to provide housing for the refugee family through their temporary housing ministry, Hope House. Hope House provides temporary housing for refugees being resettled in the Durham area. Their mission is “to show God’s love through the ministry of hospitality.” Hope Valley Baptist and Hope House are part of CBFNC’s Welcome House Community Network.
“It was many months ago when Pastor Breslin at Oak Church contacted me about this remarkable rescue plan. I told him it would not be an easy task but that we (CBF) were ready to help in every way possible. We reached out to our friends at Hope Valley Baptist. Immediately they said yes. That’s the kind of people they are. That’s how this hospitality network works,” said Marc Wyatt, CBF field personnel and liaison for the newly established Welcome House Community Network.
Oak Church has made a huge commitment. Unlike sponsored refugees brought to our country by the State Department’s Resettlement Program, this family is sponsored by the church under the asylum process. They will be providing 100% of the family’s needs for the next year.
You may support this initiative in the following ways:
- Donate Monetarily: individuals and supporting organizations may contribute financially to the Oak Church’s Refugee Hospitality Fund.
- Donate Items: for a list of material and in-kind needs, visit the Burmese Family Support Registry.
To learn more contact Rev. Chris Breslin: 919.357.5916 (cell) chris@oakdurham.org @revbrez